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Furlough Scheme Extended Until October

The furlough scheme – or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – is a Government scheme to help people keep their jobs whilst they are unable to work due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Currently, furloughed workers across the UK receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 per month, from the Government. This scheme is considered the most generous job retention scheme anywhere in the world and has been a huge success at giving workers and businesses certainty.

Furloughed workers are employees who stay on the payroll of a business even though they are not working – many employees are currently unable to work through no fault of their own and are being supported by the Government through this scheme.

Statistics have shown that the scheme has protected around 7.5 million workers and almost 1 million businesses. This is helping people and families all around the country to continue to live their lives even if their work cannot continue.

The original scheme runs from March and will continue in its current form until the end of July.

On Tuesday, 12th May the Chancellor announced an extension to the scheme keeping it open until the end of October. Changes to allow the scheme more flexibility will come in from the start of August and more specific details about those changes are due to be released soon.

This extension gives workers and businesses the certainty that they need that the Government will continue to support them. Whilst we are looking to gradually re-open industries, to allow workers to return to work in a safe manner, it is crucial we can support those who are still unable to work.

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